This is more a mental battle than a physical confrontation. When Tom Brady steps to the line of scrimmage in Super Bowl XLII he’ll scan the Giants defense and immediately point in the direction of Antonio Pierce. Actually, he’ll point directly at Pierce, identifying the whereabouts of the middle linebacker to set the blocking assignments for his offensive linemen. Thus begins the mind games.

Most every middle linebacker is in charge of calling the defensive signals, but no one takes the job to heart as passionately as Pierce. He tip-toes up to the line, bending an ear to eavesdrop on the quarterback barking signals, swiveling his head from side to side, alert for any movement or command that tips off what the Patriots are up to. Pierce will actually shove his linemen right or left to put them where he feels the play is headed.

Brady is no Peyton Manning at the line and the Patriots often line up in an empty backfield, with Brady in shotgun formation, four or five receivers flanking him. There is no running back and thus no threat of the run. Brady can check off to make a different receiver a primary target based on how he sees the Giants’ defensive alignment.

Pierce has called Brady “the Prince” for the way he lords over the huddle and the field, seemingly above the fray, at times looking shocked when a defender actually has the audacity to put him on his bottom. But Pierce knows Brady stands in the pocket unafraid to take a hit, and that he rarely is confused or hesitant. It’s Pierce’s job to cause as much confusion and hesitancy as possible.